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Derby Residents Seek Contract Against Damages in Wind Project

DERBY - Vicky and Dan Lewis of Derby, along with other Derby residents, continued last Monday to push the Derby Select Board to take action in the proposed Derby Line Wind Project. Vicky Lewis said she would like the town to sign a comprehensive contract with the developer that would address the issues of concern including potential health effects, noise, and property values. The board did not make a decision Monday on the request but had already decided to seek intervener status at the Public Service Board hearing. Board chairman Brian Smith said he is considering a contract but wants to discuss it with the developer first.Both Smith and Lewis accused each other of making rude comments following the meeting.Derby resident Glenda Nye said she feels Smith was “out of order at the meeting on two occasions,” based on his comments and attitude. She called his attitude dismissive. She said that, as an elected official for the town, Smith has a “fiduciary responsibility to the residents which includes respect.”Nye said she presented the board with information from her extensive research into the issues surrounding wind turbines such as health effects, and she states that they are not cost effective.She quoted information from the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia, which she feels is light-years ahead of Vermont in understanding wind turbines. She said the information advises taking a precautionary approach to construing wind turbines, and that they should not exist within 10 kilometers of homes. “Vermont is still in the infancy of understanding these developments,” Nye said.